Welcome to Montreal Eric Cole

Pierre Gauthier made a splash on the UFA market yesterday as he signed Eric Cole to a 4 year deal. For Habs fans who have been lobbying for the addition of a power forward to compliment the Plekanec, Cammilleri duo, the news should be received very warmly. Cole has been a target for some fans at various times over the last few years, and should be a very good, physical presence on the top line. Cole, who grew up a Habs fan in New York state, was pleased to be joining the Candiens, and told Montreal media that he thought he could provide some much needed grit on the top line.

I like the signing and although it is clear that Montreal was forced into probably paying an extra Million dollars and an extra year than they may have during normal negotiations – these were anything but normal July 1st circumstances. Given the overpayment that went on throughout the league I think the Canadiens did very well to address a key need.

I agree Mats it was a good signing. Now we need to get a good defensive centreman who can win important faceoffs and of course get Gorges signed. We actually still hve 8.3M of cap space left so after we give Gorges 3M that leaves us with almost 5M. So we have some room to find a couple of players who can play third fourth line positions with the possibility of moving up to the top to lines to fill in for injuries.

I agree Senet – I have to believe that Gauthier’s focus (after Gorges and White that is) is going to be finding a gritty bottom 6 guy to play between White and Moen. If he can find a guy who is competent defensively, we could end up with a very good fourth line. I expect that once everyone is healthy that Eller will line up beside Kostitsyn and Desharnais for the 3rd line.

Hey Guys. Cole was number one on my free agent list and I’m glad PG got him. No guarantees except I will have a great summer thinking of this team. We will miss Hamrlik, I’m thinking the brain trust is hoping Yemelin will be the next Hammer. I feel OK going into next season with Engqvist getting a shot until Eller is back.

Cole filled what was identified as our biggest need, and he was the best player available to do so. I agree with Senet, we need that centerman for the fourth line, and I agree with the suggestion that Konopka is the type of player we’re looking for to fill that role.

I think with $8 mil left under the cap, PG would be foolish to let Mara walk. Sopel might also be worth considering, if the salary demands aren’t too high, somewhere around $1 mil, $1.5 mil a year would be a good number, unless he can find more from another team. Otherwise, I think Scott Hannan on two or three year contract might also be a good choice, the longer he goes without signing the better odds of being able to sign him to a reasonable contract become. Shane O’Brien is another option, although I think he’s overpaid for what he brings to the table. Mara only had one less fighting major than O’Brien did last year, and would probably cost much less.

I like Soppel a lot. Quiet, workmanlike D, much like Gorges, who gives everything every shift. Konopka is too big a liability with the puck, and gets too many penalties. We need more discipline, not less. The Sabres, Phillies, Bruins and Leafs may intimidate us, we just have to pressure their Ds and score on the PP.